WARREN POLICE Coalition will call for department changes

The coalition is concerned about the allegations of police misconduct.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- In the wake of recent allegations of police misconduct, members of the Warren Coalition are asking that the city administration make changes in the embattled department.
Tom Conley, one of the three coalition members and CEO of the Warren-Trumbull Urban League, said a press conference will be held Monday. The coalition is made up of leaders of black organizations in the city.
"At that time we will say what we feel should be done," Conley said. "Something has to be done and we will give our recommendation. We are concerned about the recent reports about the strip-searches and the other allegations that have come to light in the past few weeks."
Residents call for action
Councilman James Pugh, D-6th, said he has received numerous calls from people who want the city administration to take action. Conley noted that he has also received a telephone call from an attorney with the ACLU in Cleveland.
"There are a few bad cops -- not all are bad, but there are a few that feel they are above the law," Pugh said. "Those cops have to be dealt with in order to satisfy the concerns of the citizens."
Mayor Hank Angelo and Fred Harris, safety-service director, said that they are investigating the recent complaints but that it takes time.
"We want to do this right, and we are looking over everything," Angelo said.
Complaint filed
Dominic D. Gambone, 25, who lived on South Project S.E. when he was arrested in February 2002 on charges of driving under suspension and driving slow, filed a complaint in March saying Patrolmen Tim Parana and Robert Trimble did a body-cavity search on him when he was arrested.
Parana told Lt. Joseph Marhulik, internal affairs investigator, that he strip-searches every male he arrests, according to the written internal investigation report.
Marhulik found that the two officers violated state law and departmental policy. The chief, however, exonerated the officers. Harris overruled the chief's decision and ordered him to review the complaint.
Chief's actions
Angelo and Harris are also doing an internal review of the police chief's actions, which were on a videotape taken in the parking lot of 77 Soul, a local nightspot.
The mayor said he did not know how long it would take to do the review.
The video shows Police Chief John Mandopoulos and other officers as they stopped by 77 Soul May 24.
A friend of club owner LaShawn Ziegler's taped the chief and patrol officer Manny Nites, who put their faces up to the camera, giving the cameraman close-up views of their eyes. Mandopoulos also asked the cameraman if in high school he had been voted "the nerd most likely to succeed."
The chief said he and Nites were joking. Nites can also be heard calling the cameraman a snitch and telling customers walking into the club that the cameraman is a snitch.
sinkovich@vindy.com